I wrote this song went I moved to Singapore last summer to do my PhD at NUS. This is a classic 12-bar blues progression. The letters in brackets refer to the guitar chords. The blues was composed in the key of E, but can be played in other keys of course.

Disclaimer: all political references in the song are for fun purpose and are not to be taken seriously.

Intro

Verse I(E) I live on the campus of NUS
(E) I came here to study political jazz
(A) Politics here, politics there
(E) Theoretical debates everywhere
(H) It’s hot in the city (A)
(E) But I don’t care (H)

(E) Because I like to read, to write and discuss
(E) And make presentations in front of the class
(A) And just between you and me
(E) I need to read sixty books for QE (!)
(H) But it’s OK because I’ve got my (A)
(E) Ecstasy (H)

Verse II(E) So in four years I’ll get my PhD
(E) And all politicians can consult with me
(A) Watch out Obama, I’ll throw you a banana
(E) And if you don’t like it – sweet home, Alabama
(H) And don’t you smile, President Putin (A)
(E) Political theory kills better than shooting (H)

Verse III(E) Oh maybe I should stay away from politics?
(E) Don’t wanna spend the rest of my live in mental clinics
(A) I’d rather become a real big Prof
(E) Giving lectures that knock people off
(H) In any case I’ve got nothing to lose (A)
(E) Because I’ve got you and this graduate blues (H)

The benches are also made with elements of animal decor. Лавочки также оформлены с элементами животного декора.

And this is one is a live creature among the sculptures :). It was moving stealthily towards an innocent Chinese girl. I warned her that a guest is coming, and she immediately moved away. А это уже настоящая рептилия среди животных. Она подкрадывалась через кусты к невинной китайской девочке. Я предупредил ее о возможном госте, и та сразу же сменила дислокацию.

A view on the river from the Garden of Abundance. Вид на реку из сада изобилия.

Towards noon more and more people come here for a picnic. Ближе к полудню народ приходит сюда на пикник.

At the exit from the Chinese Garden: the MRT (metro) station at the distance is also made in Chinese style. На выходе из китайского сада: впереди виднеется станция метро, также оформленная в китайском стиле.

Most Singaporeans live in the so-caled HDB flats. HDB stands for Housing and Development Board. This is a governmental body that runs public housing in the country. HDB flats are organized into residential communities which look like “small towns” with schools, churches, hawker centers (food courts), supermarkets, and sports facilities.

Today I will show you a typical HDB housing estate called Casa Clementi. Its description is available on the HDB’s website here. Casa Clementi has also its own website that can be accessed here.

As usual, click on any photo to access the picture gallery with comments.

This Friday I went out for a walk in the Singapore Botanical Gardens. This is A UNSCO world heritage site. The Gardens are quite big and very beautiful. The entrance is free; the opening hours are from 5 am till midnight. I just took a short stroll along the Northern part, as well checked out the National Orchid Garden.

The Gardens have plenty of open space. You can have a picnic, play, and just have fun. There is also live music at weekends. В Саду много свободного пространства. Можно устраивать пикники, играть и просто дурачиться. По выходным здесь также играет живая музыка.

On the 1st of August NUS organized a walking tour around the Marina Bay area, which included visiting such landmarks as the Marina Bay Sands hotel and the Gardens by the Bay. I will make separate detailed posts about each of these sights. This post gives a brief overview of the whole Bay area.

From another perspective one can see the Flyer – a popular attraction in the city. On the left side is the wall of the Marina Bay Sands. С другой стороны видна еще одна достопримечательность – колесо обозрения “парящий Сингапур”. С левой стороны – стена отеля Марина Бэй Сэндс.

From the Gardens by the Bay there is another view on the Marina Bay Sands. И еще один вид на отель.